Purpose The paper starts with a comprehensive state of the art that describes the main Make-To-Order (MTO) Small-Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) characteristics and requirements and the widely available Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software solutions. The paper develops identifying possible gaps or misalignments between them. Subsequently it focuses on the specific needs of the case study company and on the current ERP solutions implemented, assessing their concrete adoption and effectiveness and suggesting possible developments or alternative solutions, such as integration with existing Product Lifecycle Management proprietary software. The main goal of this paper is to show how an ERP could be fitted in a MTO small enterprise, operating in a niche context. In general ERP system represents a rigid solution for standardized production process that has to be customized to manage SME production flexibility and to guarantee an adequate operation management. A case study of a small enterprise, operating in fashion market, is shown. Design/methodology/approach Despite the literature is quite scarce in determining the applicability of ERP to a MTO company, available publications show a substantial misalignment between MTO requirements and ERP functionality, which is confirmed by the case study examined. However a further research is required, especially on new modules and add-ons of ERP systems (e.g. CEM, PLM, APS), seen by literature as potentially helpful tools but often offered as extra solutions which may be too expensive and risky for small-medium companies with limited IT budgets. Since even excellent systems may give bad results if they are applied to situations where they are not suited, developing an ERP system based on its specific business model could be a solution for a niche company to remain flexible and dynamic and to conform to the customer needs at any time. Originality/value The paper offers a contribution to a growing field of research, related to applicability of ERP systems to MTO companies, with a concrete case study of a niche company. This research is potentially aimed at being useful to other MTO niche companies adopting an ERP system for the first time or developing new solutions on existing one.
BIANCHINI A, PETA D, SACCANI C, SIMEONI P (2013). Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) fitting in a Make-To-Order (MTO) Small-Medium Enterprise (SME).
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) fitting in a Make-To-Order (MTO) Small-Medium Enterprise (SME)
BIANCHINI, AUGUSTO;PETA, DOMENICO;SACCANI, CESARE;
2013
Abstract
Purpose The paper starts with a comprehensive state of the art that describes the main Make-To-Order (MTO) Small-Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) characteristics and requirements and the widely available Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software solutions. The paper develops identifying possible gaps or misalignments between them. Subsequently it focuses on the specific needs of the case study company and on the current ERP solutions implemented, assessing their concrete adoption and effectiveness and suggesting possible developments or alternative solutions, such as integration with existing Product Lifecycle Management proprietary software. The main goal of this paper is to show how an ERP could be fitted in a MTO small enterprise, operating in a niche context. In general ERP system represents a rigid solution for standardized production process that has to be customized to manage SME production flexibility and to guarantee an adequate operation management. A case study of a small enterprise, operating in fashion market, is shown. Design/methodology/approach Despite the literature is quite scarce in determining the applicability of ERP to a MTO company, available publications show a substantial misalignment between MTO requirements and ERP functionality, which is confirmed by the case study examined. However a further research is required, especially on new modules and add-ons of ERP systems (e.g. CEM, PLM, APS), seen by literature as potentially helpful tools but often offered as extra solutions which may be too expensive and risky for small-medium companies with limited IT budgets. Since even excellent systems may give bad results if they are applied to situations where they are not suited, developing an ERP system based on its specific business model could be a solution for a niche company to remain flexible and dynamic and to conform to the customer needs at any time. Originality/value The paper offers a contribution to a growing field of research, related to applicability of ERP systems to MTO companies, with a concrete case study of a niche company. This research is potentially aimed at being useful to other MTO niche companies adopting an ERP system for the first time or developing new solutions on existing one.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
